Enhanced bezel for currency acceptor

ABSTRACT

An enhanced bezel intended for use with a bill acceptor. The enhanced bezel includes a processor to monitor detailed information about the status of the bill acceptor, and other information related to its operation. The processor displays this information through multiple indicators on the enhanced bezel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an enhanced bezel intended foruse with a currency or bill acceptor which is to be incorporated into anelectronic gaming machine, vending machine, point of sale devices andsimilar host machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Bill acceptors are now in widespread use in host machines such asgaming machines, vending machines and point of sale devices. Billacceptors receive paper currency or notes and, using a validator havingboth hardware and software components, the received currency or note isscanned with a variety of sensors. The sensor information is analyzed todetermine authenticity and denomination of the currency or note. If thenote is determined to be authentic, e.g. a United States $1, $5, $10,$20, $50 or $100 bill or other legal tender, the note is transported toa cash box within the bill acceptor for storage. Further, based upon thedenomination of the accepted currency or note, a signal is sent from thevalidator to the host machine's controller or processor to cause thehost machine to credit or accumulate a corresponding amount within themachine's credit meter representing the cash value available forpurchasing products or wagering. Bill acceptors of this type are knownand are discussed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,039 issued Jan. 26,1999 to Suzuki.

[0003] The use of bill acceptors has given rise to a problem associatedwith users who believe that they have inserted a bill having a highervalue than what the machine provides as credits. For example, the usermay believe that he or she has inserted a twenty dollar bill while themachine only provides ten dollars in credit. This problem generallyrequires the attention of an attendant who may be required to open themachine to show the user the last bill inserted to resolve the dispute.Alternatively, the attendant may have to place the machine into a“diagnostic mode” to allow extraction of the information on the correctdenomination of the last inserted bill. These types of activities areboth labor intensive and inefficient as the machine is taken out ofoperation until the issue is resolved.

[0004] A bill acceptor generally has a rectangular slot where the noteor currency is to be inserted. The location of the rectangular slot maybe readily identified by a bezel which, in the context of gamingmachines, vending machines or the like, is a structure projecting fromthe front portion of the bill acceptor below the intake slot. The use ofbezels in the gaming machine industry has been limited to providingpassive functions. For example, it is known to have bezels with severallight emitting devices (LEDs) arranged to flash in a runway sequence toattract the patron's attention and identify where the note is to beinserted. It is also known that bezels with different color LEDs, i.e.green and red, are available to provide an indication of whether thebill acceptor is operational. The status information available fromthese bezels is, however, very limited, i.e. whether the bill acceptorof the machine is enabled or disabled, and it does not provide any otherfunctional utility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is generally directed to a note or billacceptor, and-more particularly, to an enhanced bezel positioned at ornear the intake slot of the bill acceptor. The enhanced bezel is adaptedto display detailed information about the status of the bill acceptor,and other information related to its operation.

[0006] The enhanced bezel of the present invention employs multipleindicators to visually display information. For example, the enhancedbezel may include indicators to display error conditions such as “notebox full” or “transport path jammed” conditions, and other informationuseful for maintenance and diagnostic purposes. Additional visualindicators may display set up information, such as which denominationsthe bill validator of the machine is programmed to accept, displayprompts or instructions to assist the player, such as a display of thedenomination of the last bill accepted, or even simple decorativepatterns.

[0007] More specifically, the enhanced bezel may include a display areato provide a visual display of information about the bills, vouchers,script and/or currency (hereinafter, collectively “notes”) accepted bythe bill acceptor. For example, the display may have a visual depictionor back-lighted display to show if the received bill has a $1, $5, $10,$20, $50 or $100 denomination. The display is connected to the billacceptor's processor which receives information from the note validatorwhich senses the authenticity, denomination, amount and type of the notepassing through the bill acceptor and which issues a signalcorresponding to the note type to the bill acceptor processor and thehost machine's processor for accumulation of credits. The sameinformation can be used to control the display on the enhanced bezel.

[0008] Further, the bill acceptor will include a note box provided toreceive deposited notes and a transport assembly for transporting notesaccepted through the note validator to the note box. The bill acceptorprocessor controls the transport assembly to direct notes receivedthrough the note validator to the note box and detects any interferencewith the operation of the bill acceptor. The bill acceptor's processoralso keeps track of the number of bills sent to the note box forretention. Thus, by connecting the processor to the enhanced bezel,additional status information, such as a jammed transport path or fullnote box may be visually displayed by the enhanced bezel.

[0009] The enhanced bezel display system of the present invention thusprovides an easy method of interacting with the user of the machine toprovide a verification of the denomination of received notes. Theenhanced bezel display system of the present invention also enables theattendant of the machine to quickly retrieve information regardingvarious operations, including the status of the bill acceptor, withouthaving to interrupt the use of the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a gaming machine including the bill acceptor havingan enhanced bezel according to the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a bill acceptor having theenhanced bezel according to the present invention; and

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a detailed front view of one version of the enhancedbezel according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention can be used in gaming machines, vendingmachines and pay point machines, where currency or bills are acceptedfor credits. For purposes of detailing the invention, however, thedescription herein as shown in FIG. 1, is tailored to the application ofthe invention in a gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 includes abill acceptor 12 having an enhanced bezel according to the presentinvention.

[0014] The gaming machine 10 generally includes a housing 14 of variouspotential configurations designed to contain the various components ofsuch machines. The interior of the gaming machine 10 may normally beaccessed through opening a front cover or door 16. Disposed within thehousing 14 are the reels 18 for the play of the game, a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 20 which controls the operation of the gamingmachine 10, as well as a coin hopper assembly adapted to receive, holdand dispense coins or tokens in a known fashion. As is known in theindustry, the CPU 20 controls the operation of the gaming machine 10.The CPU 20 controls the selection of the outcome, monitors the amountwagered for each play or “hand,” determines winning payouts to theplayer, monitors the accumulation of credits at the gaming machineavailable for play and the like. These features, which are controlled bythe CPU 20, are now well-known in the art. To monitor the performanceand operation, the CPU 20 of each gaming machine 10 in a facility may bein communication with a centralized system server (not shown). Thesystem server monitors the revenue or amounts wagered, amounts paid outand the like for each gaming machine 10 in the facility.

[0015] To play a gaming machine 10, a player inserts tokens, coins,bills, currency or script, which are sensed and, if valid, areaccumulated as credits for gaming. The received coins or tokens aredirected to the coin hopper assembly for storage or the coins/tokens maybe directed to an auxiliary collection location, for example under themachine. Alternatively, to amass credits for play of the gaming machine10, the gaming machine 10 is provided with the bill acceptor 12 having avalidator which receives notes as legal tender or script and, based uponthe note's value, assigns a corresponding value of credits within thegaming machine 10 for gaming.

[0016] The bill acceptor 12, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a validator 26adapted to scan a note inserted into a rectangular slot or opening 22 todetermine the authenticity, type (legal tender or script, if required),denomination and condition (whether the note is worn) of the note. Theenhanced bezel 24 is preferably placed on the front of the bill acceptor12 and below the opening 22. The enhanced bezel 24 is used as amechanical interface to the game machine door 16, as it projects to orthrough an opening in the door 16. The enhanced bezel 24 provides arunway surface 34 immediately befor the opening 22 to allow the patronto easily insert the bill into the bill acceptor 12. The enhanced bezelmay also include a display surface 36 vertically mounted at the leadingedge of the runway surface 34.

[0017] A bill, once inserted over the runway surface 34 and into opening22, is captured and transported by a transportation unit 30 past opticaland magnetic sensors (not shown) which may, for example, sense lightreflected by and/or transmitted through the note, reflectivity andtransmission patterns, size of the note and the magnetic characteristicsof the inserted note. The various sensors output sensed data outputsignals which are compared by a validator processor (not shown) tostored data representative of the range of sensor readings correspondingto authentic notes and determine the denomination.

[0018] If the note is determined to be valid and authentic, based on thecomparison with the stored data for authentic notes, the transportationunit 30 transports the note to the note box 32 for storage. Also, uponreceipt and determination of validity, a signal is sent to the gamingmachine's CPU 20 signifying receipt as well as the denomination of thenote for accumulation of a like value amount of credits in the gamingmachine 10. If the note is not validated, the transportation unit 30 isreversed and the note is ejected through the opening 28 to the customer.

[0019] The information accumulated by the validator processor, such asthe status of the bill acceptor and denomination of accepted notes, isavailable to be communicated to and displayed on the indicators on therunway surface 34 and/or display surface 36 of the enhanced bezel 24.The display indicators on the enhanced bezel 24 may be controlleddirectly by the validator processor, or the enhanced bezel may have itsown logic device such as a bezel processor (not shown). The bezelprocessor may be configured and connected to monitor the communicationsbetween the bill validator and the host, or it may receive specialsignals from the validator processor. The bezel processor determines thestate of the validator and/or the host machine, and uses the results tocontrol the visual display indicators.

[0020] The bezel processor may monitor the status and activityinformation provided by the validator processor, and use the results tocontrol the indicators. The bezel processor may alternatively be placedon the controller of the bill validator.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the enhanced bezel 24 has multiple displayindicators on the runway surface 34, including a $1 indicator 40, $5indicator 42, $10 indicator 44, $20 indicator 46, $50 indicator 48 and$100 indicator 50 which display the denomination of received andaccepted notes. In addition, the runway surface may have a “reject”indicator 52, to visually display when an unacceptable bill has beeninserted and rejected. Additional indicators located on the displaysurface 36 of the enhanced bezel may include a system lock indicator 54,counterfeit bill indicator 56, transport jam indicator 58 and serviceindicator 60. The display surface 36 may also include additionalindicators for the host machine, such as a diagnostic indicator 62, coinindicator 64, machine service indicator 66 and validator note box fullindicator 68. It should be understood that the various specific displayindicators described herein are representative only, and other types ofdisplay symbols may be substituted.

[0022] For all of the various indicators there are several differentmethods of displaying the information, for example by back sideillumination using, alone or in combination, incandescent lamps, LEDs,electroluminescent emitters, liquid crystals, numeric alphanumeric andgraphic displays, and mechanical semaphores. The various indicators arepreferably an integral part of a molded or fabricated bill entry piece38 of the bill acceptor 12. Alternatively, the indicators may beseparate from the bill acceptor or be part of an associated displaypanel placed on a display surface of the host machine.

[0023] While the foregoing description and attached Figures define anembodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that it issubject to many modifications and changes without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A bill acceptor having an opening for inserting a bill, said billacceptor comprising: a validator; a transport assembly to transportbills inserted into said opening through said validator; a bezelpositioned proximate said opening, said bezel including a displaysurface having a plurality of visual display indicators; and a processorto monitor the status and activity of said validator, said processorbeing connected to and controlling said display indicators.
 2. The billacceptor of claim 1, wherein said display indicators include at leastone of a $1 indicator, a $5 indicator, a $10 indicator, a $20 indicator,a $50 indicator and a $100 indicator for visually displayingdenominations of valid notes accepted by the bill acceptor.
 3. The billacceptor of claim 1, wherein said display indicators include a rejectindicator for visually displaying when an unacceptable bill has beeninserted and rejected by said validator.
 4. The bill acceptor of claim1, wherein said display indicators include at least one of a system lockindicator, a counterfeit bill indicator, a transport jam indicator and aservice indicator.
 5. The bill acceptor of claim 1, wherein said displayindicators include at least one of a diagnostic indicator, a coinindicator, a machine service indicator and a note box full indicator. 6.The bill acceptor of claim 1, wherein said bezel further comprises arunway surface and a display surface vertically mounted with respect tosaid runway surface.
 7. The bill acceptor of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of display indicators are selected from the group consistingof incandescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electroluminescentemitters, liquid crystals, numeric alphanumeric and graphic displays,and mechanical semaphores.
 8. The bill acceptor of claim 1, wherein saidprocessor controls said validator and said display indicators.
 9. Amethod of displaying status and activity information of a bill acceptorcomprising: providing a validator having a processor for accumulatingstatus and activity information; providing a bezel having a plurality ofdisplay indicators; and connecting said processor to said plurality ofdisplay indicators to control said display indicators and displayinformation received from said validator.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein said information displayed by said display indicators includesdenominations of notes inserted and accepted by said bill acceptor. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein said information displayed by saiddisplay indicators is displayed by a device selected from the groupconsisting of incandescent lamps, light emitting diodes,electroluminescent emitters, liquid crystals, numeric alphanumeric andgraphic displays, and mechanical semaphores.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein said information displayed by said display indicators includesinformation about the status of said bill validator.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 including displaying said information by back-side illuminationusing a device selected from the group consisting of incandescent lamps,light emitting diodes, electroluminescent emitters, liquid crystals,numeric alphanumeric and graphic displays, and mechanical semaphores.14. A method of displaying status and activity information of a gamingmachine on an enhanced bezel comprising: providing a validator processorin said gaming machine for accumulating said status and activityinformation; providing multiple display indicators on said enhancedbezel; and causing said validator processor to control said displayindicators for displaying said information.
 15. A bezel for a billacceptor having an opening for inserting a bill, said bezel comprising:a display surface having a plurality of visual display indicators; and aprocessor to monitor the status and activity of said validator, saidprocessor being connected to and controlling said display indicators ofsaid bezel.
 16. The bezel of claim 15, wherein said display indicatorsinclude at least one of a $1 indicator, a $5 indicator, a $10 indicator,a $20 indicator, a $50 indicator and a $100 indicator for visuallydisplaying denominations of valid notes accepted by the bill acceptor.17. The bezel of claim 15, wherein said bezel further comprises a runwaysurface and a display surface vertically mounted with respect to saidrunway surface.
 18. The bezel of claim 15, wherein said plurality ofdisplay indicators are selected from the group consisting ofincandescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electroluminescent emitters,liquid crystals, numeric alphanumeric and graphic displays, andmechanical semaphores.
 19. The bezel of claim 16, wherein said pluralityof display indicators are selected from the group consisting ofincandescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electroluminescent emitters,liquid crystals, numeric alphanumeric and graphic displays, andmechanical semaphores.
 20. Apparatus for displaying status and activityinformation of a bill acceptor attached to a host machine, comprising: avalidator having a processor for accumulating status and activityinformation; and a plurality of display indicators connected to saidprocessor of said validator, said processor controlling said displayindicators to visually display information received from said validator.21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said information displayed bysaid display indicators includes denominations of notes inserted andaccepted by said bill acceptor.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, whereinsaid information displayed by said display indicators includesinformation about the status of said bill validator.
 23. The apparatusof claim 20, wherein said information displayed by said displayindicators is displayed by a device selected from the group consistingof incandescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electroluminescentemitters, liquid crystals, numeric alphanumeric and graphic displays,and mechanical semaphores.
 24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein saiddisplay indicators display said information by back-side illuminationusing a device selected from the group consisting of incandescent lamps,light emitting diodes, electroluminescent emitters, liquid crystals,numeric alphanumeric and graphic displays, and mechanical semaphores.